WIC Program

WIC Approved Canned Fish

Canned fish was once reserved for breastfeeding participants only — a 2026 USDA update expanded it to children ages 1 through 4 and to pregnant and postpartum participants too.

What Is Covered

A 2026 USDA food package update expanded canned fish beyond breastfeeding participants to also include children ages 1 through 4 and pregnant and postpartum participants. Approved varieties are chunk light tuna, chub mackerel, salmon, sardines, and Atlantic mackerel, packed in water or oil. Jack mackerel was removed from the approved list due to limited FDA/EPA mercury data.

Typical Quantities

Your monthly benefit

Monthly canned fish amounts vary by participant category: about 6 ounces for children ages 1 to 4, 10 ounces for pregnant and postpartum participants, 15 ounces for partially breastfeeding participants, and 20 ounces for fully breastfeeding participants (reduced from 30 ounces under the prior food package). Check your WIC benefit for your exact allotment.

Shopping Tips

Canned light tuna is the most widely available WIC-approved fish. Check the species and can size carefully against your approved foods list — jack mackerel no longer qualifies, and only approved sizes will scan as WIC-eligible at checkout.

Find Your State's Approved List

Approved brands and package sizes for canned fish vary by state. Select your state below for the specific list.

Alabama Alabama Department of Public Health — Bureau of Family Health Services, State WIC Office Alaska Alaska Department of Health — Division of Public Assistance, WIC Program Arizona Arizona Department of Health Services — WIC Program Arkansas Arkansas Department of Health — WIC Program California California Department of Public Health — WIC Division Colorado Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment — WIC Program Connecticut Connecticut Department of Public Health — WIC Program Delaware Delaware Health and Social Services — WIC Program District of Columbia DC Health — WIC Program Florida Florida Department of Health — WIC Program Georgia Georgia Department of Public Health — WIC Program Hawaii Hawaii Department of Health — WIC Services Branch Idaho Idaho Department of Health & Welfare — WIC Program Illinois Illinois Department of Human Services — WIC Program Indiana Indiana Department of Health — WIC Program Iowa Iowa Health and Human Services — WIC Program Kansas Kansas Department of Health and Environment — Nutrition & WIC Services Kentucky Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Department for Public Health, Nutrition Services Branch Louisiana Louisiana Department of Health — Bureau of Nutrition Services Maine Maine Department of Health and Human Services — Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program Maryland Maryland Department of Health — WIC Program Massachusetts Massachusetts Department of Public Health — WIC Nutrition Program Michigan Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) — WIC Program Minnesota Minnesota Department of Health — WIC Program Mississippi Mississippi State Department of Health — WIC Program Missouri Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — WIC and Nutrition Services Montana Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — WIC Program Nebraska Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program Nevada Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health — WIC Program New Hampshire New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program New Jersey New Jersey Department of Health — WIC Program New Mexico New Mexico Department of Health — WIC Program New York New York State Department of Health — WIC Program North Carolina North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program North Dakota North Dakota Health and Human Services — WIC Program Ohio Ohio Department of Health — WIC Program Oklahoma Oklahoma State Department of Health — WIC Program Oregon Oregon Health Authority — WIC Program Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Health — Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Rhode Island Rhode Island Department of Health — WIC Program South Carolina South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) — WIC Program South Dakota South Dakota Department of Health — WIC Program Tennessee Tennessee Department of Health — WIC Program Texas Texas Health and Human Services — Texas WIC Program Utah Utah Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program Vermont Vermont Department of Health — WIC Program Virginia Virginia Department of Health — WIC Program Washington Washington State Department of Health — WIC Nutrition Program West Virginia West Virginia Department of Health — Office of Nutrition Services Wisconsin Wisconsin Department of Health Services — WIC Program Wyoming Wyoming Department of Health — WIC Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Is canned fish still only for breastfeeding participants?

No. A 2026 USDA update expanded canned fish to children ages 1 through 4 and to pregnant and postpartum participants, in addition to breastfeeding participants.

What canned fish varieties does WIC approve?

Chunk light tuna, chub mackerel, salmon, sardines, and Atlantic mackerel are approved. Jack mackerel was removed from the approved list in 2026 due to limited mercury data.

How much canned fish do fully breastfeeding participants get?

Fully breastfeeding participants receive 20 ounces of canned fish per month, down from 30 ounces under the prior food package.

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